IMAGOTYPES OF UKRAINIANS IN HOLLYWOOD AUDIOVISUAL WORKS (1991–2021)

Abstract

The article researches the images of Ukrainians in American cinematography by taking examples from the Hollywood production in 1991–2021. The proposed study’s objective is to define major imagotypic images of Ukrainians abroad and to highlight their characteristics. The research methodology is based on the imagologic method of cinematographic works’ analysis combined with the techniques and methods of semiotic and content analyses methods, and methods of comparison and synthesis. The study’s scientific novelty refers to highlighting stereotypical images of Ukrainians in Hollywood audiovisual works of the independence period and determining the most widespread image types that shaped the image of Ukraine in Western societies and media. Scientific findings. The research found that stereotypes about Ukrainians reproduced in movies and TV series from 1991 to 2021 are based on persistent stereotypes and have not been evolutionized during the specified period. It was determined by systematizing and analyzing that the three most popular Ukrainians’ image types are ‘foe’, ‘seducer’, and ‘immigrant’. Each of the presented imagotypes contains references to Ukraine and Ukrainians, who are mostly presented as belligerent (often violent) and depraved, immoral migrants from a third-world country prone to violation of the law. Another presentation of Ukrainians is like bearers of traditional values and a patriarchal worldview, which is considered outdated. It was discovered that most Ukrainians’ images in the comprehension of Hollywood screenwriters are closely connected to Russian and USSR backgrounds and thus, they are often interpreted as “one nation”. It is clear that since the beginning of the Ukrainian-Russian war, the number of Ukrainian characters in the Hollywood cinematography works has reduced significantly.